1000th UK employer signs Armed Forces Covenant

Compass Group UK & Ireland have become the 1000th UK employer to sign the Armed Forces Covenant, which provides support and opportunities for Service personnel and veterans.

At a ceremony on board HMS Belfast, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, commented: “Companies such as Compass Group UK & Ireland are helping to ensure those who serve or have served our country, get the treatment and recognition they deserve. Their support is hugely valued.

“In turn, these companies benefit from the skills, experience, professionalism and dedication that that these men and women bring to their organisation.”

The Covenant was created in 2013 to ensure fairness and equal opportunity for Service and ex-Service personnel when accessing goods and services.

It aims to deliver: fairer mobile phone contracts, freezing the accounts of Armed Forces personnel and their families posted overseas and removing cancellation fees; better deals in motor insurance, allowing personnel to keep their no claims bonuses and avoid cancellation fees when posted overseas at short notice; employer networks in a wide range of sectors to support Service leavers through their transition to new careers; and better access to banking, such as savings accounts to Service families posted overseas.

Furthermore, the Covenant will tackle commercial disadvantage previously experienced by the Armed Forces community in relation to credit rating and access to mortgages on offer. It will offer better access to mentoring, work placements and employment opportunities for personnel leaving the Services; increased funding and sponsorship of military charities and sports events such as the Invictus Games; flexible paid or unpaid leave for mobilised Reservists; employment support for Veterans, Reservists, Service spouses and partners, as well as support for Cadets; and discounts and special deals for individuals and their families.